dumbfounding 1 of 2

adjective

variants also dumfounding
as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness the dumbfounding sight of the race car driver walking away from that horrific crash

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dumbfounding

2 of 2

verb

variants also dumfounding
present participle of dumbfound
as in amazing
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected the surprise ending will dumbfound even the most seasoned mystery reader

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dumbfounding
Verb
The June jobs report showed leisure and hospitality jobs plunged by 61,000 positions – a number so dumbfounding that economists widely expect that to get revised . — David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 Stroud’s development has stalled in Houston, where the Texans’ offensive line has long been a problem but can’t explain his erratic decision-making and dumbfounding turnovers. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumbfounding
  1. surprising
  2. amazing
  3. startling
  4. stunning
  5. shocking
  6. astonishing
Adjective
  • Of course, 2025 didn’t have the all-encompassing men’s World Cup getting in the way, so a dip shouldn’t be surprising.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026
  • It was not expected to field a presidential candidate and its distancing from the younger Bolsonaro has been surprising.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprising
Verb
  • In one camp Gao Sheng breaks a cultural norm by helping her father and uncles with a big project, amazing her relatives with her physical and mental strength.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Definition of amazing
Adjective
  • Residents of a Newark, New Jersey, apartment complex got a startling wakeup call Sunday morning when police in tactical gear, responding to reports of multiple people shot, stormed their building.
    — Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In New York and elsewhere, socialists have also performed well, startling establishment figures who favor more traditional positions on capitalist economic policies, among other issues.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of startling
Verb
  • Margaret deploys this power to find Daniel and to free him from Noah and the WARDEX minions—essentially, by stunning them emotionally.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Definition of stunning
Adjective
  • The shocking lack of answers does not appear to be for a lack of resources, rather it highlights perceived investigative missteps along the way.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The shocking report was nevertheless cheered by investors, who took the weakness in the labor market as a sign that the Federal Reserve won’t hike rates in September.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocking
Verb
  • Nordstrom has really sweet jewelry pieces at not-astonishing price points.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of astonishing

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Dumbfounding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumbfounding. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dumbfounding for Spanish Speakers

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